9-story apartment block proposed for Eola Park section

Developers are expected to get final approval from the Orlando City Council on Monday for a nine-story apartment project between Lake Eola and State Road 408.

The Jefferson Apartment Group's plans call for 299 rental units plus eight live/work units, first-floor retail and a three-story parking garage integrated into the building. Baker Barrios is designing the project, which will be on the block surrounded by East Church Street, Lake Avenue, Mariposa Street and South Osceola Avenue.

Next door, at East Church Street and Lake Avenue, Smith Equities is marketing 1.51 acres zoned for 394 units in a 23-story building. Robert Smith, president of the equity group, said the property is priced at $11 million.

Smith noted that, with the Lynx bus agency's free Lymmo downtown-circulator route slated to expand to the southeastern section of downtown Orlando this fall, the "Eola Park" area south of the city's signature lake will have a better connection to the SunRail commuter trains set to start service through the city center next year.